Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly rejected an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, who reportedly urged him to step down and leave the country in exchange for safe passage for himself and his family. Speaking at a mass rally in Caracas, Maduro declared that Venezuela seeks peace based on sovereignty, equality, and independence, not under colonial conditions. The ultimatum followed a phone call between the two leaders, which Trump later confirmed. Meanwhile, the US has intensified pressure on Venezuela, deploying warships near its coast under the pretext of anti-narcotics operations and closing Venezuelan airspace. Washington insists these actions aim to curb drug trafficking, while Caracas accuses the US of attempting regime change. According to CNN, Trump is consulting senior officials, including Ambassador Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to determine the next steps in dealing with the Maduro government.

Government primary school assistant teachers across Bangladesh have announced a 'complete shutdown' starting Wednesday, December 3, to press for the implementation of their three-point demand, including pay grade reform. The move follows weeks of continuous work abstention and boycott of annual exams. The Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council confirmed the decision after alleging harassment of teachers during earlier protests. Currently, head teachers receive salaries under the 10th grade, while assistant teachers remain in the 13th grade. Teachers have long demanded an upgrade to the 10th grade, but the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has only recommended the 11th grade for now. Dissatisfied with the slow progress, teachers plan to stage sit-ins in front of Upazila or Thana Education Offices nationwide. Bangladesh has over 65,000 government primary schools employing more than 384,000 teachers, most of whom are assistant teachers. The standoff highlights growing frustration over pay disparity and unfulfilled government promises.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that his party will ensure transparency and public consultation in all major decisions if it comes to power. Speaking at a meeting with pharmaceutical traders in Dhaka’s Shewrapara area on December 2, he emphasized that Jamaat aims to build a just and corruption-free Bangladesh where both rich and poor benefit equally. Rahman said the party would maintain a strict position against mismanagement and corruption. He also criticized some doctors for allegedly taking illegal benefits from drug traders, calling it a form of deception against patients. Highlighting the progress of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, he noted that the country, once dependent on foreign medicine, now exports drugs to many nations.

At least 712 people have been confirmed dead and more than 500 remain missing after devastating floods and landslides struck Indonesia’s Sumatra Island last week, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster has affected around 1.1 million people across three provinces, with North and West Sumatra suffering the worst damage. Communication and transportation links in areas like Tapanuli and Sibolga have been completely severed, hampering rescue and relief operations. Despite government and international aid being sent by air and sea, many remote villages remain cut off, leading to severe shortages of food and clean water. Reports of looting and unrest have emerged as desperate residents struggle to survive. Authorities have deployed police to maintain order and facilitate aid distribution. In response to the communication crisis, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced free Starlink internet services to support emergency connectivity in the affected regions.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has indicated that Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum are likely to be held in the second week of February. Speaking to several media outlets on December 2, he mentioned that the polls could take place between February 8 and 12, with minor adjustments possible on either side of those dates. The Election Commission (EC) will finalize the schedule and voting date in a meeting on December 7, with the official announcement expected around December 11. The EC is also considering extending the voting period by one hour, from the current 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., to accommodate both the parliamentary election and referendum on the same day. Additionally, the number of secret voting booths may be increased to ensure smoother voter participation. These measures aim to improve efficiency and voter convenience during the upcoming national polls.

The interim government’s advisory council held a special meeting on Tuesday, December 2, chaired by the Chief Adviser at the state guesthouse Jamuna, to discuss the medical care of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. According to an official statement read by Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, the council decided to ensure uninterrupted hospital treatment for Khaleda Zia and, if necessary, to arrange for her advanced medical care abroad. The meeting also resolved to declare her a Very Very Important Person (VVIP), ensuring her security, transportation, and privileges consistent with her status as a three-time former prime minister. All relevant agencies have been instructed to implement these decisions immediately. The council also offered prayers for her speedy recovery and called upon the nation to join in prayers for her health. Khaleda Zia’s family and her political party, the BNP, have been informed of the government’s decisions.

Authorities in Pakistan have imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to prevent public gatherings ahead of a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The Interior Minister stated that the restrictions were necessary for public safety and would be strictly enforced. The government warned against any attempt to pressure prison authorities regarding visitation rights for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emphasizing that such matters are administrative, not political. Officials also cautioned against the misuse of provincial resources for political purposes, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and warned of legal action against any government employees involved in political activities. Security forces have been placed on high alert, and authorities reiterated that any violation of the ban on rallies or protests would result in immediate action. The restrictions are in effect from December 1 to 3 in Rawalpindi and remain active in Islamabad.

The Dhaka District Administration has appointed new presidents for 215 private schools and colleges in the capital. According to an official order signed by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Md. Rezaul Karim on December 1, the appointments were made following directives from the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee issued in mid-November. Officials from various levels of the district administration have been assigned as presidents, with each individual responsible for overseeing between three and eight institutions. The move aims to ensure better administrative oversight and compliance with government policies in private educational institutions. The official order specifies that the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner or his designated representatives will serve as presidents of these institutions as per the approved list.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a sharp warning to European nations, declaring that Russia is ready for war if Europe chooses confrontation. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow, Putin criticized Europe for abandoning peaceful solutions and obstructing US-led initiatives to end the Ukraine war. Despite the presence of US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow to discuss a potential peace deal, Putin did not meet them as scheduled. His remarks are seen as a direct message to Europe ahead of possible US-Russia negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Dublin, said there is now a better opportunity to end the war and expressed hope for a clear message from Washington following any Putin-Witkoff meeting. Zelensky also reiterated his willingness to meet former US President Donald Trump, depending on the outcome of the Moscow talks.

In a rare move in Malaysian history, former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad lodged a police complaint against current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, accusing him of economic sabotage and undermining national sovereignty. The complaint, filed at the Putrajaya police headquarters, centers on the Malaysia–US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed by Anwar and former US President Donald Trump on October 26. Mahathir claims the deal threatens Malaysia’s political and economic independence, increases foreign dependence, and weakens domestic policy-making power. He highlighted clauses that could compel Malaysia to comply with unilateral US sanctions and share cross-border data with Washington. Mahathir also cited 14 potential negative impacts, including risks to the halal industry, bumiputra empowerment, and rare earth exports. He demanded investigations into Anwar, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and all officials involved. The agreement has sparked widespread criticism, with former Attorney General Tommy Thomas alleging Malaysia signed a US-drafted deal without negotiation. The controversy has intensified political debate over Malaysia’s sovereignty and trade policy direction.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force visited former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday night, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). Khaleda Zia, who has long suffered from arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, and eye complications, has been under treatment since November 23 after a lung infection was detected. Following her release after the fall of the Awami League government in August last year, she spent over three months in London for advanced medical care before returning to Bangladesh in May. Her personal physician, Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, expressed hope for her recovery but became emotional while speaking to reporters, urging the public not to spread rumors about her condition. A medical team from the UK is expected to arrive soon to assess whether she should be taken abroad for further treatment. The interim government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘very important person’.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he seeks a complete end to the war with Russia, not a temporary pause, and warned against any 'secret games' in peace negotiations. Speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin, Zelensky emphasized that the current moment offers the best opportunity yet to end the conflict. His comments come as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visit Russia for talks on ending the war, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet met them. Putin, meanwhile, rejected European peace proposals as unacceptable and accused European leaders of obstructing U.S.-led peace efforts, warning that Russia is ready if Europe wants war. Zelensky said he awaits direct messages from the U.S. following Putin’s meeting and remains open to talks with Donald Trump, depending on Moscow’s discussions. He noted that territorial issues and frozen Russian assets remain key challenges.

Mohammad Ali Hossain, Senior District and Sessions Judge of Jashore, and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka, have been elected as the new president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association. The election was held online on December 2 in a festive atmosphere, with live coverage from the Judicial Administration Training Institute. Out of 2,138 eligible judges across 64 districts, 1,890 cast their votes, marking an 88% turnout. Hossain received 1,003 votes while Rahman secured 1,238 votes. A total of 45 judges were elected to 16 executive positions. In his remarks, Rahman expressed gratitude to his colleagues and pledged to modernize the judiciary, implement full judicial allowances, advance the e-judiciary project, and improve judges’ working conditions and security. The new committee also aims to enhance training opportunities and ensure fair rights for all judges nationwide.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a rule asking why a policy should not be formulated to regulate house rent in Dhaka. The bench, led by Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi, directed the authorities of Dhaka North and South City Corporations and other concerned parties to respond within four weeks. The order came following a writ petition seeking the implementation of the House Rent Control Act of 1991, which mandates city authorities to periodically determine rent rates based on factors such as building quality, size, road connectivity, and available amenities. Advocate Parvez Hossain, representing the petitioner, argued that the law has not been effectively enforced despite being in place for decades. The court’s move aims to ensure fair rent determination and protect tenants from arbitrary rent hikes, aligning with practices followed in many global cities.

Two Bangladeshi men were allegedly beaten to death by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and their bodies dumped in the Padma River near the Wahedpur border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district early Sunday. Local representatives and multiple sources claimed that the incident occurred between international pillars 76 and 77 when a group of cattle traders crossed the border. Two of them, identified as Ibrahim Rinku (28) and Momin Mia (29), were reportedly caught and assaulted by personnel from India’s Nimita BSF camp before being thrown into the river. Other members of the group managed to escape. Although Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not officially confirmed the incident, local officials and intelligence sources have acknowledged receiving reports. Families of the missing men have remained silent, allegedly fearing legal complications. BGB’s 53rd Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kazi Mostafizur Rahman stated that they have contacted BSF authorities to verify the matter.